be of any use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of any use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something being useful or helpful. For example: "This book doesn't seem to be of any use; I haven't found the answer to my question yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some nontheists argue that the idea of spirituality is too bound up with religion to be of any use to those of us who have left religion behind.

Huffington Post

And would I be of any use?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Would this be of any use to Ms. Woodfine?

The Guardian - Sport

In the end, none of this may be of any use to him.

The Guardian - Opinion

And some are skeptical that the school's particular coaches would be of any use.

The New Yorker

If I can be of any use to change the law, then I'll do it.

The Guardian

Will my parkour training be of any use if I'm confronted by another mugger?

The Guardian

He said, "That will not be of any use". Field Marshal Keitel has already confirmed this.

Yale University

So usually the protection comes far too late to be of any use.

The New York Times

"OK," she sighs, as if realising that I'm not going to be of any use in this puzzling deadlock.

The Guardian - Sport

It said: "To be of any use, published complaints information needs to relate to the products that customers buy.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating options, use "be of any use" to determine if a particular action or resource will provide practical help or benefit in achieving a goal.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be of any use" can sound unnecessarily formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "help" or "work" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of any use" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating whether something possesses the quality of being helpful or beneficial. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of any use" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for assessing the utility or helpfulness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across diverse sources such as news, academia, and science highlights its versatility. While appropriate in most contexts, it's advisable to opt for simpler alternatives like "be helpful" in informal settings. By understanding its function and nuances, you can effectively incorporate "be of any use" in your writing to convey the value or benefit of a particular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be helpful

Focuses directly on the act of providing help, simplifying the phrase.

be useful

Highlights the utility of something, making it more concise.

be beneficial

Emphasizes the positive impact or advantage provided.

be of assistance

More formal way to express helpfulness. It adds a degree of formality.

serve a purpose

Shifts the focus to the function or role something fulfills.

be of value

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something. Slightly different focus.

make a contribution

Highlights the act of adding value or assistance.

be advantageous

Highlights the benefits or advantages provided. More formal and specific.

be effective

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome or result. Slightly different.

be instrumental

Emphasizes a key role in achieving a particular outcome. Stronger implication.

FAQs

How can I use "be of any use" in a sentence?

You can use "be of any use" to express whether something is helpful or beneficial in a particular situation. For example, "I doubt this old map will "be of any use" in finding the treasure."

What phrases are similar to "be of any use"?

Alternatives to "be of any use" include phrases like "be helpful", "be useful", or "serve a purpose". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use "be of any use" in writing?

While generally acceptable, "be of any use" might sound overly formal in very casual contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What's the difference between "be of any use" and "be useful"?

"Be useful" is a more direct and concise way of saying the same thing as "be of any use". The latter can sometimes sound more tentative or questioning, implying a degree of uncertainty about its utility. While "be useful" is more direct.